Compressor

ABSTRACT

In a compressor, a gasket includes a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. A first housing member has an end face that faces the gasket, and a plurality of grooves is formed in the end face at positions corresponding to the interval portions such that each groove faces its corresponding interval portion. In a state in which the first housing member and a second housing member are connected to each other with the gasket interposed therebetween, the plurality of slits communicate with each other via the grooves to thereby form part of an oil passage through which lubricant oil in the oil reservoir portion flows to a refrigerant compressor, and the slits form throttles of the oil passage.

BACKGROUND ART

The present disclosure relates to a compressor.

A compressor that uses a gasket in which oil passages are formed is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-57459. According to the Publication, the gasket of the compressor has a plate-like portion in the center thereof, and holes as oil passages are formed in the center portion.

In some compressors, a gasket has an opening of a large area in its center portion, and a chamber having a pressure level of a suction pressure region, a discharge pressure region or an intermediate pressure region is formed in the opening. If a series of oil passages is formed around the opening of such gasket, it is difficult to form throttle passages that function stably, while maintaining the rigidity of the gasket.

In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure is directed to providing a compressor having a gasket that has throttle passages that function stably and that can withstand when an opening in the center portion of the gasket is utilized as a chamber for the compressor.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a compressor that includes a housing assembly, a gasket, a refrigerant compressor, and an oil reservoir portion. The housing assembly includes a plurality of housing members including a first housing member and a second housing member. The housing assembly is formed by connecting the housing members together. The gasket is interposed between the first housing member and the second housing member. The refrigerant compressor is disposed in the housing assembly and configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from outside. The oil reservoir portion is provided in the housing assembly and lubricant oil that is separated from discharged refrigerant is accumulated in the oil reservoir portion. In the compressor, the gasket includes a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. The first housing member has an end face that faces the gasket, and a plurality of grooves is formed in the end face at positions corresponding to the interval portions such that each groove faces its corresponding interval portion. In a state in which the first housing member and the second housing member are connected to each other with the gasket interposed therebetween, the plurality of slits communicate with each other via the grooves to thereby form part of an oil passage through which lubricant oil in the oil reservoir portion flows to the refrigerant compressor, and the slits form throttles of the oil passage.

Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the first embodiment taken along line II-II and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the second embodiment taken along line V-V and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the third embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the fourth embodiment taken along line XI-XI and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the fifth embodiment taken along line XIV-XIV and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following will describe a compressor according to each embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that, in the following description, like reference numerals in the drawings designate identical or corresponding parts, and the detailed description thereof is not repeated. Although the embodiments of the present disclosure will describe a scroll type compressor or a vane type compressor, the type of the compressor is not limited thereto, and the compressor may be of any other types, such as a swash plate type.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a compressor according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the first embodiment taken along line II-II and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the compressor of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, denoted as 100, is a scroll type electric compressor. The compressor 100 includes a plurality of housing members. According to the first embodiment, the plurality of housing members includes a motor housing 110, a rear housing member 120, a fixed block 140, a movable scroll 161, and a fixed scroll 162. A gasket 130 is interposed between the motor housing 110 and the rear housing member 120. Specifically, a radially outer portion of the gasket 130 is sandwiched between the motor housing 110 and the rear housing member 120, and a radially inner portion of the gasket 130 is sandwiched between the rear housing member 120 and the fixed scroll 162.

The above housing members are assembled or connected together to thereby form a housing assembly 100 h of the compressor 100. The housing assembly 100 h has a refrigerant compressor 160 that is configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from the outside.

The following will describe the configuration of the compressor 100 in detail. The rear housing member 120 is connected to a rear end of the motor housing 110 with bolts 190. The motor housing 110 and the rear housing member 120 are each formed of an aluminum alloy and have a bottomed cylindrical shape. The motor housing 110 has an intake port 111, which is in communication with the outside of the compressor 100. Part of the motor housing 110 that is in communication with the intake port 111 is defined as a suction chamber 10, which is a suction pressure region. An electric motor 170 is disposed in the motor housing 110. A plurality of insertion holes 128 for inserting bolts is formed in an outer peripheral portion of the rear housing member 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the refrigerant compressor 160 and the electric motor 170 are arranged in an axial direction of the rotary shaft 150. The electric motor 170 includes a stator 171 and a rotor 172. The rotor 172 is mounted on the rotary shaft 150. The rotary shaft 150 is axially supported at the bottom wall of the motor housing 110 and the fixed block 140. An eccentric pin 150 p is mounted to an end of the rotary shaft 150 that is located within the fixed block 140. The eccentric pin 150 p is engaged with a bush 151 and the bush 151 is engaged with an inner peripheral portion of a bearing 152 that is fixed to the movable scroll 161.

The refrigerant compressor 160 includes the movable scroll 161, the fixed scroll 162, the rotary shaft 150, the eccentric pin 150 p, the bush 151, and the bearing 152. A compression chamber 20 is defined between the movable scroll 161 and the fixed scroll 162.

In the interior of the housing assembly 100 h, a back pressure chamber 50 that is operable to push the movable scroll 161 toward the fixed scroll 162 is formed on one side of the movable scroll 161 that is away from the fixed scroll 162. The back pressure chamber 50 is defined by the fixed block 140 and the movable scroll 161. Pressure in the back pressure chamber 50, which serves as the back pressure that acts on the movable scroll 161, is determined by a difference between a flow rate of refrigerant gas that leaks from the compression chamber 20 to the back pressure chamber 50 and a flow rate of the refrigerant gas that is discharged from the back pressure chamber 50 through a passage (not illustrated). The movable scroll 161 is connected to the bush 151.

A spring plate 240 is disposed between the fixed scroll 162 and the fixed block 140. The spring plate 240 is a thin metal sheet having an annular shape and acts to urge the movable scroll 161 toward the fixed scroll 162.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a discharge chamber 30 is defined between the rear housing member 120 and the fixed scroll 162. The discharge chamber 30 and the compression chamber 20 are in communication with each other through a discharge port 162 h formed in the fixed scroll 162. The discharge port 162 h is opened and closed by a valve unit 31. The rear housing member 120 has a discharge port 124 that is opened to the outside of the compressor 100. The discharge port 124 is in communication with a refrigeration circuit (not illustrated) that is externally connected to the compressor 100.

The rear housing member 120 has therein an oil separation chamber 40 that is in communication with the discharge chamber 30 and in which an oil separation cylinder 180 is disposed. Refrigerant gas that is compressed in the refrigerant compressor 160 is discharged from the discharge chamber 30 into the oil separation chamber 40. In the oil separation chamber 40, lubricant oil is separated from the refrigerant gas that is discharged from the discharge chamber 30. The discharge chamber 30 and the oil separation chamber 40 are separated by a partitioning portion 125, which has a communication hole 126 formed therethrough. The refrigerant gas discharged from the discharge chamber 30 flows into the oil separation chamber 40 through the communication hole 126.

In the oil separation chamber 40, refrigerant gas swirls around an outer peripheral surface of the oil separation cylinder 180, so that lubricant oil is centrifugally separated from the refrigerant gas. The refrigerant gas from which lubricant oil has been separated in the oil separation chamber 40 flows through the oil separation cylinder 180 and is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 124.

Lubricant oil that has been separated from refrigerant gas in the oil separation chamber 40 is accumulated in a first oil reservoir portion 41 that is located under the oil separation chamber 40 in the vertical direction. The rear housing member 120 has a communication passage 127, which provides communication between the first oil reservoir portion 41 and an inlet opening 130 ae of the gasket 130. Details of the gasket 130 will be described later.

A second oil reservoir portion 42 is formed radially outward of the discharge chamber 30. The second oil reservoir portion 42 communicates with the first oil reservoir portion 41 through an oil passage 61 and communicates with the suction chamber 10 through an oil return passage 164. Details of the oil passage 61 will be described later. The second oil reservoir portion 42 is a suction pressure region.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gasket 130 is disposed in such a manner as to surround the outer periphery of the discharge chamber 30. The gasket 130 is a seal member formed by a thin metal sheet and includes a rubber member covering the surface of the metal sheet. The gasket 130 faces an end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162 that faces rear housing member 120. As described earlier, the gasket 130 is sandwiched between the rear housing member 120 and the fixed scroll 162. The gasket 130 has an opening in the center portion thereof, and the discharge chamber 30 is located within the opening. The space in the opening of the gasket 130 is a discharge pressure region of the compressor 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gasket 130 has a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket 130, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. In the first embodiment, the plurality of slits of the gasket 130 includes a first slit 130 a, a second slit 130 b, a third slit 130 c, and a fourth slit 130 d. One end of the first slit 130 a is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an inlet opening 130 ae. One end of the fourth slit 130 d is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an outlet opening 130 de. Lubricant oil flows through a gap created by the thickness of the gasket 130 and then flows into the second oil reservoir portion 42 through the outlet opening 130 de.

The plurality of interval portions of the gasket 130 includes a first interval portion 130 m between the first slit 130 a and the second slit 130 b, a second interval portion 130 n between the second slit 130 b and the third slit 130 c, and a third interval portion 130 p between the third slit 130 c and the fourth slit 130 d. The interval portions herein refer to solid portions of the gasket 130 that are located between the slits.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, grooves are formed in the end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162 at positions corresponding to the interval portions. According to the first embodiment, in the end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162, a first groove 162 a, a second groove 162 b, and a third groove 162 c are formed so as to correspond to the first interval portion 130 m, the second interval portion 130 n, and the third interval portion 130 p, respectively. It is to be noted that each groove has a length that is greater than that of its corresponding interval portion, so that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located.

As described earlier, the rear housing member 120 and the fixed scroll 162 are connected to each other with the gasket 130 interposed therebetween. In this state, the first slit 130 a, the second slit 130 b, the third slit 130 c, and the fourth slit 130 d communicate with each other via the first groove 162 a, the second groove 162 b, and the third groove 162 c to thereby form the oil passage 61 through which lubricant oil L1 in the first oil reservoir portion 41 flows. The oil passage 61 provides communication between the first oil reservoir portion 41 and the second oil reservoir portion 42, which is in communication with the suction chamber 10. Each groove has a cross-sectional area that is greater than those of the slits that the groove faces. Therefore, the first to fourth slits 130 a, 130 b, 130 c, and 130 d function as throttles of the oil passage 61. The oil passage 61 extends along substantially one half of the circumference of the gasket 130.

In the first embodiment, although the grooves are formed in the end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162, the disposition of the grooves is not limited in the end face 162 t. The grooves may be formed in an end face of the rear housing member 120 that faces the end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162 with the gasket 130 interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the grooves may be formed both in the end face of the rear housing member 120 and in the end face 162 t of the fixed scroll 162.

In the compressor 100, after the electric motor 170 is started, the rotational force generated by the electric motor 170 is transmitted to the movable scroll 161 through the rotary shaft 150 and the bush 151. The movable scroll 161 orbits relative to the fixed scroll 162, which causes the refrigerant compressor 160 to compress refrigerant gas. Refrigerant that is compressed in the compression chamber 20 pushes and opens the valve unit 31, and flows into the discharge chamber 30. The refrigerant gas in the discharge chamber 30 then flows into the oil separation chamber 40 through the communication hole 126. The refrigerant gas, from which lubricant oil has been separated in the oil separation chamber 40, flows through the oil separation cylinder 180 and then is discharged to the outside of the compressor 100 through the discharge port 124.

Lubricant oil that has been separated from refrigerant gas in the oil separation chamber 40 and accumulated in the first oil reservoir portion 41 flows through the communication passage 127 and then flows into the oil passage 61 through the inlet opening 130 ae of the gasket 130. The pressure of the lubricant oil L1 is reduced while the lubricant oil L1 flows through the oil passage 61. The lubricant oil L1 flows into the second oil reservoir portion 42 through the outlet opening 130 de and then flows into the suction chamber 10. The lubricant oil L1 together with the refrigerant gas flows from the suction chamber 10 into the compression chamber 20 and lubricates sliding portions in the refrigerant compressor 160.

In the compressor 100 according to the first embodiment, the multiple slits that form part of the oil passage 61 are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 130 and the interval portions are located between the slits. In this configuration, the slits form throttles of the oil passage 61, and the rigidity of the gasket 130 is ensured by the interval portions. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the multiple slits are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 130. Thus, the length of each slit extending along the peripheral edge of the gasket 130 is greater than the length of a hole that may be formed in the center portion of the gasket 130 as the oil passage, so that the oil passage 61 can have a sufficient length.

The oil passage 61 is in communication with the suction chamber 10 through the second oil reservoir portion 42. With this configuration, stable supply of lubricant oil to the suction chamber 10 and reduction of the pressure of the lubricant oil are achieved, so that the power loss of the compressor 100 can be reduced.

The above-described grooves are formed in the fixed scroll 162. Thus, no additional member is required for forming the oil passage 61, and it is easy to form the grooves.

Second Embodiment

The following will describe a compressor according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. The compressor of the second embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the compressor 100 of the first embodiment mainly in the arrangement of the gasket that forms part of an oil passage. Therefore, description of the configurations that are similar to those in the compressor 100 of the first embodiment will not be repeated.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the compressor according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor taken along line V-V and as viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 5. It is to be noted that only a gasket 230 and a fixed block 140 are illustrated in FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the compressor of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, denoted as 200, is a scroll type electric compressor. The compressor 200 includes a plurality of housing members. According to the second embodiment, the gasket 230 is interposed between a fixed scroll 162 and the fixed block 140, and a spring plate 240 is disposed between the fixed scroll 162 and the gasket 230.

A communication passage 227 that provides communication between a first oil reservoir portion 41 and an inlet opening 230 ae of the gasket 230 is formed through a rear housing member 120, the fixed scroll 162, and the spring plate 240. Details of the gasket 230 will be described later.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the gasket 230 faces an end face 140 t of the fixed block 140 that is on the fixed scroll 162 side. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gasket 230 has an opening in the center portion thereof, and a back pressure chamber 50 is located within the opening. The space in the opening of the gasket 230 is an intermediate pressure region of the compressor 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gasket 230 has a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket 230, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. In the second embodiment, the plurality of slits of the gasket 230 includes a first slit 230 a, a second slit 230 b, a third slit 230 c, and a fourth slit 230 d. One end of the first slit 230 a is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an inlet opening 230 ae. One end of the fourth slit 230 d is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an outlet opening 230 de. The outlet opening 230 de is located at such a position as to communicate with a suction chamber 10.

The plurality of interval portions of the gasket 230 includes a first interval portion 230 m between the first slit 230 a and the second slit 230 b, a second interval portion 230 n between the second slit 230 b and the third slit 230 c, and a third interval portion 230 p between the third slit 230 c and the fourth slit 230 d,

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, grooves are formed in the end face 140 t of the fixed block 140 at positions corresponding to the interval portions. According to the second embodiment, in the end face 140 t of the fixed block 140, a first groove 140 a, a second groove 140 b, and a third groove 140 c are formed so as to correspond to the first interval portion 230 m, the second interval portion 230 n, and the third interval portion 230 p, respectively. It is to be noted that each groove has a length that is greater than that of its corresponding interval portion, so that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located. Each groove has a cross-sectional area that is greater than those of the slits that the groove faces. Therefore, the first to fourth slits 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, and 230 d function as throttles of an oil passage 62.

In the state in which the fixed scroll 162 and the fixed block 140 are connected to each other with the spring plate 240 and the gasket 230 interposed therebetween, the first slit 230 a, the second slit 230 b, the third slit 230 c, and the fourth slit 230 d communicate with each other via the first groove 140 a, the second groove 140 b, and the third groove 140 c to thereby form the oil passage 62 through which lubricant oil L2 in the first oil reservoir portion 41 flows. The oil passage 62 provides communication between the first oil reservoir portion 41 and a second oil reservoir portion 42, which is in communication with the suction chamber 10. The oil passage 62 extends along substantially one half of the circumference of the gasket 230.

Lubricant oil that has been separated from refrigerant gas in an oil separation chamber 40 and accumulated in the first oil reservoir portion 41 flows through the communication passage 227, and flows into the oil passage 62 through the inlet opening 230 ae of the gasket 230. The pressure of the lubricant oil L2 is reduced while the lubricant oil L2 flows through the oil passage 62. The lubricant oil L2 flows into the second oil reservoir portion 42 through the outlet opening 230 de. The lubricant oil L2 flows from the second oil reservoir portion 42 into the suction chamber 10, and then flows into the compression chamber 20 together with the refrigerant gas and lubricates sliding portions in a refrigerant compressor 160.

In the compressor 200 according to the second embodiment, the multiple slits that form part of the oil passage 62 are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 230 and the interval portions are located between the slits. In this configuration, the slits form throttles of the oil passage 62, and the rigidity of the gasket 230 is ensured by the interval portions. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the multiple slits are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 230. Thus, the length of each slit extending along the peripheral edge of the gasket 230 is greater than the length of a hole that is formed in the center portion of the gasket 230 as the oil passage, so that the oil passage 62 can have a sufficient length.

The oil passage 62 is in communication with the suction chamber 10 through the second oil reservoir portion 42. With this configuration, stable supply of lubricant oil to the suction chamber 10 and reduction of the pressure of the lubricant oil are achieved, so that the power loss of the compressor 200 can be reduced.

The above-described grooves are formed in the fixed block 140. Thus, no additional member is required for forming the oil passage 62, and it is easy to form the grooves. In the second embodiment, although the grooves are formed in the end face 140 t of the fixed block 140, the disposition of the grooves is not limited in the end face 140 t, The grooves may be formed in an end face of the spring plate 240, or alternatively may be formed both in the end face 140 t of the fixed block 140 and in the end face of the spring plate 240,

Third Embodiment

The following will describe a compressor according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. The compressor of the third embodiment is different from the compressor 100 of the first embodiment mainly in the arrangement of the gasket that forms part of an oil passage. Therefore, description of the configurations that are similar to those in the compressor 100 of the first embodiment will not be repeated.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the compressor according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor taken along line VIII-VIII and as viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the compressor of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, denoted as 300, is a scroll type electric compressor. The compressor 300 includes a plurality of housing members. According to the third embodiment, the plurality of housing members includes a motor housing 310, a rear housing member 320, a fixed block 140, a movable scroll 361, and a fixed scroll 362. A gasket 330 is interposed between the motor housing 310 and the rear housing member 320. More specifically, a radially outer portion of the gasket 330 is sandwiched between the motor housing 310 and the rear housing member 320 and a radially inner portion of the gasket 330 is sandwiched between the rear housing member 320 and the fixed scroll 362.

The above housing members are assembled or connected together to thereby form a housing assembly 300 h of the compressor 300. The housing assembly 300 h has a refrigerant compressor 360 that is configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from the outside. The refrigerant compressor 360 includes the movable scroll 361, the fixed scroll 362, a rotary shaft 150, an eccentric pin 150 p, a bush 151, and a bearing 152. The housing assembly 300 h has a suction chamber 10 that takes in refrigerant that is to be compressed in the refrigerant compressor 360 from the outside.

An oil separation chamber 40 has at its bottom portion a first oil reservoir portion 41 in which lubricant oil that is separated in the oil separation chamber 40 is accumulated. A connecting passage 321 that communicates with an inlet opening 330 ae is provided to the bottom of the oil separation chamber 40. Details of the inlet opening 330 ae will be described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the third embodiment, a second oil reservoir portion 42 is formed radially outward of a discharge chamber 30. The second oil reservoir portion 42 is in communication with a back pressure chamber 50 through an oil extraction passage 365 that is formed through the fixed scroll 362 in the longitudinal direction of the compressor 300. A regulation valve 390 is disposed at a position in the oil extraction passage 365. The regulation valve 390 is configured to regulate the opening of the oil extraction passage 365 in response to a difference between a pressure in the back pressure chamber 50 and a pressure in the second oil reservoir portion 42. The regulation valve 390 includes a ball valve 391 and a coil spring 392, and acts to maintain the difference in pressure between the back pressure chamber 50 and the second oil reservoir portion 42 at a specified level. With the action of the regulation valve 390, the pushing force that pushes the movable scroll 361 toward the fixed scroll 362 based on the pressure of the back pressure chamber 50 is maintained substantially at a specified level. Lubricant oil in the back pressure chamber 50 flows into the second oil reservoir portion 42 through the oil extraction passage 365 and accumulates in the second oil reservoir portion 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, an oil return passage 364 that provides communication between the bottom portion of the second oil reservoir portion 42 and the suction chamber 10 is formed through the fixed scroll 362. The second oil reservoir portion 42 is a suction pressure region. The fixed scroll 362 also has a communication passage 366 that is in communication with the back pressure chamber 50 and in communication with an outlet opening 330 ce, details of which will be described later.

Lubricant oil accumulated in the second oil reservoir portion 42 is guided to the suction chamber 10 through the oil return passage 364 and drawn into a compression chamber 20 together with the refrigerant gas and lubricates sliding portions in the refrigerant compressor 160.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the gasket 330 is disposed in such a manner as to surround the outer periphery of the second oil reservoir portion 42. A radially inner portion of the gasket 330 faces an end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362 that faces the rear housing member 320. As described earlier, the radially inner portion of the gasket 330 is sandwiched between the rear housing member 320 and the fixed scroll 362. The gasket 330 has an opening in the center portion thereof, and the discharge chamber 30 and the second oil reservoir portion 42 are located within the opening. Thus, the opening of the gasket 330 has a discharge pressure region and a suction pressure region of the compressor 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the gasket 330 has a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals along a peripheral edge of the gasket 330, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. In the third embodiment, the plurality of slits of the gasket 330 includes a first slit 330 a, a second slit 330 b, and a third slit 330 c. One end of the first slit 330 a is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form the inlet opening 330 ae. One end of the third slit 330 c is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form the outlet opening 330 ce. The inlet opening 330 ae is located at such a position as to communicate with the connecting passage 321. The outlet opening 330 ce is located at such a position as to communicate with the communication passage 366. Thus, the third slit 330 c has a portion extending in a circumferential direction of the gasket 330 and a portion extending in a radial direction of the gasket 330.

The gasket 330 has a first interval portion 330 m between the first slit 330 a and the second slit 330 b, and a second interval portion 330 n between the second slit 330 b and the third slit 330 c.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, grooves are formed in the end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362 at positions corresponding to the interval portions. According to the third embodiment, in the end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362, a first groove 362 a and a second groove 362 b are formed so as to correspond to the first interval portion 330 m and the second interval portion 330 n, respectively. It is to be noted that each groove has a length that is greater than that of its corresponding interval portion, so that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located. Each groove has a cross-sectional area that is greater than those of the slits that the groove faces. Therefore, the first to third slits 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c function as throttles of an oil passage 63.

In the state in which the rear housing member 320 and the fixed scroll 362 are connected to each other with the gasket 330 interposed therebetween, the first slit 330 a, the second slit 330 b, and the third slit 330 c communicate with each other via the first groove 362 a and the second groove 362 b to thereby form the oil passage 63 through which lubricant oil L3 in the first oil reservoir portion 41 in the oil separation chamber 40 flows.

The oil passage 63 provides communication between the connecting passage 321 and the communication passage 366. Thus, the oil separation chamber 40 and the back pressure chamber 50 are in communication with each other through the oil passage 63. The oil passage 63 extends along substantially one fourth of the circumference of the gasket 330. The pressure difference between the oil separation chamber 40 and the back pressure chamber 50 is smaller than the pressure difference between the oil separation chamber 40 and the suction chamber 10. Therefore, the length of the oil passage 63 that functions as a throttle passage between the oil separation chamber 40 and the back pressure chamber 50 may be smaller than the length of an oil passage that functions as a throttle passage between the oil separation chamber 40 and the suction chamber 10.

In the third embodiment, although the grooves are formed in the end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362, the disposition of the grooves is not limited in the end face 362 t. The grooves may be formed in an end face of the rear housing member 320 that faces the end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362, with the gasket 330 interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the grooves may be formed both in the end face of the rear housing member 320 and in the end face 362 t of the fixed scroll 362.

Lubricant oil that has been separated from the refrigerant gas in the oil separation chamber 40 flows through the connecting passage 321 and then flows into the oil passage 63 through the inlet opening 330 ae of the gasket 330. The pressure of the lubricant oil L3 is reduced while the lubricant oil L3 flows through the oil passage 63. The lubricant oil L3 enters the communication passage 366 through the outlet opening 330 ce and flows into the back pressure chamber 50. The rotary shaft 150, the eccentric pin 150 p, the bush 151, and the bearing 152 in the back pressure chamber 50 are lubricated by the lubricant oil L3.

In the compressor 300 according to the third embodiment, the multiple slits that form part of the oil passage 63 are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 330 and the interval portions are located between the slits. In this configuration, the slits form throttles of the oil passage 63, and the rigidity of the gasket 330 is ensured by the interval portions. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the multiple slits are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 330. Thus, the length of each slit extending along the peripheral edge of the gasket 330 is greater than the length of a hole that is formed in the center portion of the gasket 330 as the oil passage, so that the oil passage 63 can have a sufficient length.

The oil passage 63 is in communication with the back pressure chamber 50. With this configuration, stable supply of lubricant oil to the back pressure chamber 50 and reduction of the pressure of the lubricant oil are achieved, so that the power loss of the compressor 300 can be reduced.

The above-described grooves are formed in the fixed scroll 362. Thus, no additional member is required for forming the oil passage 63, and it is easy to form the grooves.

As in the case of the second embodiment, a spring plate and a gasket may be disposed between the fixed scroll 362 and the fixed block 140 to provide communication between the multiple slits formed in the gasket and the grooves formed in the fixed block 140 to thereby form an oil passage. In this case, a communication passage that provides communication between the oil separation chamber 40 and an inlet of the oil passage is formed in the rear housing member 320, the fixed scroll 362, and the spring plate.

Fourth Embodiment

The following will describe a compressor according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. The compressor of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the compressor 100 of the first embodiment mainly in that the compressor according to the fourth embodiment does not include an electric motor. Therefore, description of the configurations that are similar to those in the compressor 100 of the first embodiment will not be repeated.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the compressor according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the fourth embodiment taken along line XI-Xl and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the compressor of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, denoted as 400, is a scroll type compressor that is driven by an engine for a vehicle, and the rotational drive force of the engine is transmitted to a rotary shaft 150 of the compressor 400 through a belt. The compressor 400 includes a plurality of housing members. According to the fourth embodiment, the plurality of housing members includes a front housing member 440, a rear housing member 420, a movable scroll 461, and a fixed scroll 462. A gasket 430 is interposed between the rear housing member 420 and the fixed scroll 462.

The above housing members are assembled or connected together to thereby form a housing assembly 400 h of the compressor 400. The housing assembly 400 h has a refrigerant compressor 460 that is configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from the outside. The refrigerant compressor 460 includes the movable scroll 461, the fixed scroll 462, the rotary shaft 150, an eccentric pin 150 p, a bush 151, and a bearing 152.

An oil supply hole 462 h is formed through the fixed scroll 462 in the longitudinal direction of the compressor 400. One end of the oil supply hole 462 h that is located near the front housing member 440 is opened to a sliding portion between the movable scroll 461 and the fixed scroll 462.

An oil separation chamber 40 is in communication with a first oil reservoir portion 41 through a connecting passage 421. The connecting passage 421 is opened to a bottom of the oil separation chamber 40. A filter portion 490 is provided at the bottom of the first oil reservoir portion 41. In the fourth embodiment, the filter portion 490 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has a mesh structure. Lubricant oil that flows into the filter portion 490 through an outer periphery thereof is filtrated by the mesh structure and then is discharged from one end of the hollow portion that is on a radially inner side of the filter portion 490.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the gasket 430 is disposed in such a manner as to surround a discharge chamber 30 and the first oil reservoir portion 41. A radially inner portion of the gasket 430 faces an end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462 that faces the rear housing member 420. As described earlier, the radially inner portion of the gasket 430 is sandwiched between the rear housing member 420 and the fixed scroll 462. The gasket 430 has an opening in the center portion thereof, and the discharge chamber 30 and the first oil reservoir portion 41 are located within the opening. The space in the opening of the gasket 430 is a discharge pressure region of the compressor 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the gasket 430 has a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket 430, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. In the fourth embodiment, the plurality of slits of the gasket 430 includes a first slit 430 a, a second slit 430 b, and a third slit 430 c. One end of the first slit 430 a is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an inlet opening 430 ae. One end of the third slit 430 c is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an outlet opening 430 ce. The inlet opening 430 ae is located at such a position as to communicate with the hollow portion of the filter portion 490 on the radially inner side thereof. The outlet opening 430 ce is located at such a position as to communicate with the oil supply hole 462 h.

The plurality of interval portions of the gasket 430 includes a first interval portion 430 m between the first slit 430 a and the second slit 430 b, and a second interval portion 430 n between the second slit 430 b and the third slit 430 c.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, grooves are formed in the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462 at positions corresponding to the interval portions. According to the fourth embodiment, in the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462, a first groove 462 x and a second groove 462 y are formed so as to correspond to the first interval portion 430 m and the second interval portion 430 n, respectively. It is to be noted that each groove has a length that is greater than that of its corresponding interval portion, so that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located, Each groove has a cross-sectional area that is greater than those of the slits that the groove faces. Therefore, the first to third slits 430 a, 430 b, and 430 c function as throttles of an oil passage 64.

In the state in which the rear housing member 420 and the fixed scroll 462 are connected to each other with the gasket 430 interposed therebetween, the first slit 430 a, the second slit 430 b, and the third slit 430 c communicate with each other via the first groove 462 x and the second groove 462 y to thereby form the oil passage 64 through which lubricant oil L4 that has passed through the filter portion 490 flows.

The oil passage 64 provides communication between the filter portion 490 and the oil supply hole 462 h. Thus, the first oil reservoir portion 41 is in communication with the sliding portion between the movable scroll 461 and the fixed scroll 462 through the oil passage 64. The oil passage 64 extends along substantially one half of the circumference of the gasket 430.

In the fourth embodiment, although the grooves are formed in the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462, the disposition of the grooves is not limited in the end face 462 t. The grooves may be formed in an end face of the rear housing member 420 that faces the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462, with the gasket 430 interposed between the end face of the rear housing member 420 and the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462. Alternatively, the grooves may be disposed both in the end face of the rear housing member 420 and in the end face 462 t of the fixed scroll 462.

The lubricant oil that has been filtrated by the filter portion 490 flows into the oil passage 64 through the inlet opening 430 ae of the gasket 430. The pressure of the lubricant oil L4 is reduced while the lubricant oil L4 flows through the oil passage 64. The lubricant oil L4 enters the oil supply hole 462 h through the outlet opening 430 ce of the gasket 430 to reach sliding portions between the movable scroll 461 and the fixed scroll 462.

In the compressor 400 according to the fourth embodiment, the multiple slits that form part of the oil passage 64 are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 430 and the interval portions are located therebetween. In this configuration, the slits form throttles of the oil passage 64, and the rigidity of the gasket 430 is ensured by the interval portions. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the multiple slits are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 430. Thus, the length of each slit extending along the peripheral edge of the gasket 430 is greater than the length of a hole that is formed in the center portion of the gasket 430 as the oil passage, so that the oil passage 64 can have a sufficient length.

The oil passage 64 is in communication with the sliding portions between the movable scroll 461 and the fixed scroll 462. With this configuration, stable supply of lubricant oil to the sliding portions and reduction of the pressure of the lubricant oil are achieved, so that the power loss of the compressor 400 can be reduced.

The above-described grooves are formed in the fixed scroll 462. Thus, no additional member is required for forming the oil passage 64, and it is easy to form the grooves.

Fifth Embodiment

The following will describe a compressor according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. The compressor of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the compressor 100 of the first embodiment mainly in that the compressor according to the fifth embodiment is a vane type compressor. Therefore, description of the configurations that are similar to those in the compressor 100 of the first embodiment will not be repeated.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the compressor according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor of the fifth embodiment taken along line XIV-XIV and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV and as viewed in the direction of arrows in FIG. 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15, the compressor of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, denoted as 500, is a vane type electric compressor. The compressor 500 includes a plurality of housing members. According to the fifth embodiment, the plurality of housing members includes a motor housing 510, a rear housing member 520, a cylinder body 540 as the cylinder of the present disclosure, a rear side plate 580, and a cover 591 of an oil separator 590. A gasket 530 is interposed between the rear side plate 580 and the cover 591 of the oil separator 590.

The above housing members are assembled or connected together to thereby form a housing assembly 500 h of the compressor 500. The compressor 500 further includes a rotary shaft 550 that is rotatably supported in the housing assembly 500 h.

The housing assembly 500 h has a refrigerant compressor 560 that is configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from the outside. The refrigerant compressor 560 includes a rotor 561 and a plurality of vanes 562. Compression chambers 20 are defined in the refrigerant compressor 560. The refrigerant compressor 560 compresses refrigerant by means of the rotation of the rotary shaft 550.

In the interior of the housing assembly 500 h, a discharge chamber 30 is defined at the rear of the rear side plate 580. Refrigerant that is compressed in the refrigerant compressor 560 is discharged to the outside of the compressor 500 through the discharge chamber 30. A first oil reservoir portion 41 is located under the discharge chamber 30. The oil separator 590 is fixed on one side of the rear side plate 580 that faces the discharge chamber 30. An oil separation chamber 40 is formed in the oil separator 590. An intermediate pressure chamber 60 that communicates with the first oil reservoir portion 41 and with back pressure chambers 50 is formed between the rear side plate 580 and the oil separator 590.

The following will describe the configuration of the compressor 500 in detail. An intake port 511 is provided to the motor housing 510. In the interior of the motor housing 510, a space that is in communication with the intake port 511 is defined as a suction chamber 10, which is a suction pressure region.

The rear housing member 520 is connected to a rear end of the motor housing 510. A discharge port 521 that provides communication between the discharge chamber 30 and the outside is provided to the rear housing member 520.

The cylinder body 540 is formed by a front side plate 542 and a cylinder 541, which are formed integrally, and the rear side plate 580 is mounted to an open end of the cylinder 541. The cylinder 541, the front side plate 542, and the rear side plate 580 cooperate to define a cylinder chamber 12. The compression chambers 20 are defined in the cylinder chamber 12.

An annular groove 545 is formed in an end face of the front side plate 542 that is near a rear end of the rotary shaft 550.

A suction passage 546 that is opened to the suction chamber 10 and a suction port 547 that is opened to the cylinder chamber 12 are formed in the cylinder body 540. The suction chamber 10 and the cylinder chamber 12 are in communication with each other through the suction passage 546 and the suction port 547. The cylinder body 540 has a cutout portion 549 and a discharge port 548. The cutout portion 549 and an inner peripheral surface of the rear housing member 520 cooperate to define a discharge space 32 in the cylinder body 540. The discharge port 548 provides communication between the discharge space 32 and the compression chamber 20. A valve unit 31 that opens and closes the discharge port 548 is disposed in the discharge space 32.

An annular groove 583 is formed in the rear side plate 580 in such a manner as to form a circle around the rotary shaft 550. The annular groove 583 communicates with the intermediate pressure chamber 60 through a through hole 584. Details of the intermediate pressure chamber 60 will be described later. A communication hole 582 that communicates with the discharge space 32 is formed through the rear side plate 580.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the refrigerant compressor 560 and an electric motor 570 are arranged in an axial direction of the rotary shaft 550. The electric motor 570 includes a motor rotor 571 and a stator 572. The motor rotor 571 is connected to the rotary shaft 550. The rotary shaft 550 is axially supported by a bottom wall of the motor housing 510, the front side plate 542, and the rear side plate 580.

The rotor 561 is mounted on the rotary shaft 550 for integral rotation therewith and disposed in the cylinder chamber 12. A plurality of vane slots 561 m is formed in an outer periphery of the rotor 561 and a vane 562 is inserted into each vane slot 561 m. Each vane 562 slides inward and outward of the vane slot 561 m with the rotation of the rotor 561.

The rotor 561 and the vanes 562 cooperate to form the compression chambers 20. The vane slots 561 m and the vanes 562 cooperate to form the back pressure chambers 50. The back pressure chambers 50 are in communication with the annular groove 583 of the rear side plate 580.

The oil separator 590 is formed by the cover 591 and an oil separation cylinder 592. The cover 591 is fixed to the rear side plate 580 with bolts. The gasket 530 is interposed between the rear side plate 580 and the cover 591.

The intermediate pressure chamber 60 is defined by the rear side plate 580, the cover 591, the gasket 530, and the rotary shaft 550. The intermediate pressure chamber 60 and the back pressure chambers 50 are in communication with each other through the through hole 584 of the rear side plate 580, and the annular groove 583.

The oil separation chamber 40 that is in communication with the discharge chamber 30 and has therein the oil separation cylinder 592 is disposed in the cover 591. The oil separation chamber 40 has at one end thereof an opening 593, and the oil separation cylinder 592 is fixed in the opening 593. An oil discharge port 595 is provided at the other end of the oil separation chamber 40.

A communication hole 594 that communicates with the communication hole 582 of the rear side plate 580 is formed through the cover 591. The communication hole 582 and the communication hole 594 cooperate to form a discharge passage that provides communication between the discharge space 32 and the oil separation chamber 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the gasket 530 faces an end face 591 t of the cover 591 that faces the rear side plate 580. As described earlier, the gasket 530 is sandwiched between the rear side plate 580 and the cover 591. The intermediate pressure chamber 60 is located within the opening of the gasket 530 in the center portion thereof. The space in the opening of the gasket 530 is an intermediate pressure region of the compressor 500.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the gasket 530 has a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket 530, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits. In the fifth embodiment, the plurality of slits of the gasket 530 includes a first slit 530 a, a second slit 530 b, a third slit 530 c, a fourth slit 530 d, a fifth slit 530 e, a sixth slit 530 f, and a seventh slit 530 g.

The first slit 530 a has a filter portion at its one end. The filter portion is formed in a comb shape. The filter portion includes a plurality of comb-tooth shaped inlet passages 530 am that are located parallel to each other, and a connecting passage 530 an to which one end of each inlet passage 530 am is connected. The other end of each inlet passage 530 am is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an inlet opening 530 ae. The inlet openings 530 ae are located at such positions as to communicate with the first oil reservoir portion 41. Thus, the first slit 530 a is disposed so as to extend in a radial direction of the gasket 530.

One end of the seventh slit 530 g is expanded substantially into a circular shape so as to form an outlet opening 530 ge. The outlet opening 530 ge is located at such a position as to communicate with the intermediate pressure chamber 60. Thus, the seventh slit 530 g has a portion extending in a circumferential direction of the gasket 530 and a portion extending in a radial direction of the gasket 530.

The plurality of interval portions of the gasket 530 includes a first interval portion 530 m between the first slit 530 a and the second slit 530 b, a second interval portion 530 n between the second slit 530 b and the third slit 530 c, a third interval portion 530 p between the third slit 530 c and the fourth slit 530 d, a fourth interval portion 530 q between the fourth slit 530 d and the fifth slit 530 e, a fifth interval portion 530 r between the fifth slit 530 e and the sixth slit 530 f, and a sixth interval portion 530 s between the sixth slit 530 f and the seventh slit 530 g.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, grooves are formed in the end face 591 t of the cover 591 at positions corresponding to the interval portions. According to the fifth embodiment, in the end face 591 t of the cover 591, a first groove 591 b, a second groove 591 c, a third groove 591 d, a fourth groove 591 e, a fifth groove 591 f, and a sixth groove 591 g are formed so as to correspond to the first interval portion 530 m, the second interval portion 530 n, the third interval portion 530 p, the fourth interval portion 530 q, the fifth interval portion 530 r, and the sixth interval portion 530 s, respectively. It is to be noted that each groove has a length that is greater than that of its corresponding interval portion, so that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located. A seventh groove 591 a is formed in the end face 591 t of the cover 591 at a position corresponding to the connecting passage 530 an. The seventh groove 591 a faces the connecting passage 530 an.

In the state in which the rear side plate 580 and the cover 591 are connected to each other with the gasket 530 interposed therebetween, the first slit 530 a, the second slit 530 b, the third slit 530 c, the fourth slit 530 d, the fifth slit 530 e, the sixth slit 530 f, and the seventh slit 530 g communicate with each other via the first groove 591 b, the second groove 591 c, the third groove 591 d, the fourth groove 591 e, the fifth groove 591 f, and the sixth groove 591 g to thereby form an oil passage 65 through which lubricant oil L5 in the first oil reservoir portion 41 flows. The oil passage 65 provides communication between the first oil reservoir portion 41 and the intermediate pressure chamber 60. The oil passage 65 extends along substantially the circumference of the gasket 530. Each groove has a cross-sectional area that is greater than those of the slits that the groove faces. Therefore, the first to seventh slits 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d, 530 e, 530 f, and 530 g function as throttles of the oil passage 65.

In the fifth embodiment, although the grooves are formed in the end face 591 t of the cover 591, the disposition of the grooves is not limited in the end face 591 t. The grooves may be formed in an end face of the rear side plate 580 that faces the end face 591 t of the cover 591, with the gasket 530 interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the grooves may be disposed both in the end face of the rear side plate 580 and in the end face 591 t of the cover 591.

In the compressor 500, after the electric motor 570 is started, the rotational force generated by the electric motor 570 is transmitted to the rotor 561 through the rotary shaft 550, which then rotates the rotor 561 in the cylinder chamber 12, so that the volume of each compression chamber 20 is increased and decreased repeatedly. While the volume of any of the compression chambers 20 is increasing, refrigerant at a low pressure that has exited the suction chamber 10 and flowed through the suction passage 546 and the suction port 547, is allowed to flow into the compression chamber 20.

Refrigerant that is compressed in the compression chamber 20 pushes and opens the valve unit 31, passes through the discharge port 548, and flows into the discharge space 32, then flows into the oil separation chamber 40 through the communication hole 582 and the communication hole 594. After the separation of lubricant oil in the oil separation chamber 40, the refrigerant gas flows through the oil separation cylinder 592 and then is discharged to the outside of the compressor 500 through the discharge port 521.

The separated lubricant oil flows through the oil discharge port 595 and accumulates in the first oil reservoir portion 41, and then enters the oil passage 65 through the inlet opening 530 ae of the gasket 530. The pressure of the lubricant oil L5 is reduced while the lubricant oil L5 flows through the oil passage 65. The lubricant oil L5 enters the intermediate pressure chamber 60 through the outlet opening 530 ge. The lubricant oil L5 in the intermediate pressure chamber 60 enters the back pressure chambers 50 to act as back pressure against the vanes 562 and lubricates sliding portions in the refrigerant compressor 560, such as the vanes 562 and the rotor 561.

In the compressor 500 according to the fifth embodiment, the multiple slits that form part of the oil passage 65 are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 530 and the interval portions are located between the slits. In this configuration, the slits form throttles of the oil passage 65, and the rigidity of the gasket 530 is ensured by the interval portions. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the multiple slits are arranged along the peripheral edge of the gasket 530. Thus, the length of each slit extending along the peripheral edge of the gasket 530 is greater than the length of a hole that is formed in the center portion of the gasket 530 as the oil passage, so that the oil passage 65 can have a sufficient length.

The oil passage 65 is in communication with the intermediate pressure chamber 60. With this configuration, stable supply of lubricant oil to the intermediate pressure chamber 60 and reduction of the pressure of the lubricant oil are achieved, so that the power loss of the compressor 500 can be reduced.

The above-described grooves are formed in the cover 591. Thus, no additional member is required for forming the oil passage 65, and it is easy to form the grooves.

Since the filter portion is provided at the inlet of the oil passage 65 (i.e., at one end of the first slit 530 a), intrusion of foreign matter into the oil passage 65 is prevented, which prevents blockage or clogging of the oil passage 65. Since the comb-tooth shaped slits formed in the gasket 530 constitute the filter portion, no additional member is required to form the filter portion, and processing of the slits forming the oil passage 65 and processing of the slits forming the filter portion are achieved at the same time. Therefore, the filter portion is formed easily. It is to be noted that the filter portion does not necessarily have to be formed in the gasket 530, and the filter portion may be provided by a separate member from the gasket 530, as in the case of the fourth embodiment.

The configurations of the present disclosure are not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and configurations may be combined with each other. In the first to fifth embodiments, although each of the gaskets 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530 has three to seven slits, the number of the slits is not limited thereto as long as each of the gaskets 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530 has multiple slits. In the first to fifth embodiments, the lengths of the slits forming part of the oil passages 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 are greater than those of their corresponding grooves. However, each groove may have a length greater than that of its corresponding slit. In such case, it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the gaskets facing the oil grooves. In the first and second embodiments, the oil passages 61 and 62 each provide communication between the first oil reservoir portion 41 and the suction chamber 10 through the second oil reservoir portion 42. However, the first oil reservoir portion 41 and the compression chambers 20 may communicate with each other through the oil passages 61 and 62. In such case, supply of lubricant oil to each compression chamber 20 is controlled and reduced appropriately, so that a stable compression performance is achieved. In the first to fifth embodiments, the slits may be provided by through holes or bottomed grooves. The first to third embodiments may be configured to have a filter portion that is provided at the inlet of the oil passage, as in the cases of the fourth and fifth embodiments.

It is to be noted that the peripheral edge of the gasket herein includes the outer peripheral edge of the gasket and the inner peripheral edge of the gasket that conforms to the opening of the gasket. Extending the slits arcuately in the circumferential direction of the gasket will increase the lengths of the slits and results in stable throttle passages.

It is to be noted that the first to fifth embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplary in all respects and not limitative. The scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the descriptions of the above embodiments but by the claims, and embraces all modifications which fall within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compressor comprising: a housing assembly that comprises a plurality of housing members including a first housing member and a second housing member, the housing assembly being formed by connecting the housing members together; a gasket that is interposed between the first housing member and the second housing member; a refrigerant compressor that is disposed in the housing assembly and configured to compress refrigerant that is taken in from outside; and an oil reservoir portion that is provided in the housing assembly and in which lubricant oil that is separated from discharged refrigerant is accumulated, wherein the gasket includes a plurality of slits that are arranged at intervals so as to extend along a peripheral edge of the gasket, and a plurality of interval portions that are located between the slits, the first housing member has an end face that faces the gasket, and a plurality of grooves is formed in the end face at positions corresponding to the interval portions such that each groove faces its corresponding interval portion, in a state in which the first housing member and the second housing member are connected to each other with the gasket interposed therebetween, the plurality of slits communicate with each other via the grooves to thereby form part of an oil passage through which lubricant oil in the oil reservoir portion flows to the refrigerant compressor, and the slits form throttles of the oil passage.
 2. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein a compression chamber is defined in the refrigerant compressor, the housing assembly has therein a suction chamber that takes in refrigerant that is to be compressed in the refrigerant compressor from the outside, and the oil passage is in communication with the suction chamber or the compression chamber.
 3. The compressor according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerant compressor includes a fixed scroll and a movable scroll that cooperate to form the compression chamber.
 4. The compressor according to claim 3, wherein the housing assembly has therein a back pressure chamber that is formed on one side of the movable scroll that is away from the fixed scroll and that pushes the movable scroll toward the fixed scroll, and the oil passage is in communication with the back pressure chamber.
 5. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein the compressor includes a rotary shaft that is rotatably supported in the housing assembly, the refrigerant compressor includes a rotor that is mounted on the rotary shaft and has a plurality of vane slots formed in an outer periphery thereof, and a plurality of vanes that are inserted into the vane slots and slide inward and outward of the vane slots, the vane slots and the vanes cooperate to form a back pressure chamber, the plurality of housing members includes a cylinder, the rotor is disposed in the cylinder, a first side plate and a second side plate are mounted to opposite ends of the cylinder, the housing assembly has therein a discharge chamber that is defined on one side of the second side plate and through which refrigerant that is compressed in the refrigerant compressor is discharged to the outside, the oil reservoir portion is located under the discharge chamber in the housing assembly, an oil separator is fixed to the second side plate on one side thereof that faces the discharge chamber, an oil separation chamber is formed in the oil separator, an intermediate pressure chamber that communicates with the oil reservoir portion and the back pressure chamber is formed between the oil separator and the second side plate, the gasket is disposed between the second side plate and the oil separator, and the oil passage provides communication between the oil reservoir portion and the intermediate pressure chamber.
 6. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein a filter portion is provided at an inlet of the oil passage.
 7. The compressor according to claim 6, wherein the filter portion is formed in the gasket, has a comb shape, and comprises a plurality of comb-tooth shaped slits.
 8. The compressor according to claim 1, wherein each groove has a length that is greater than a length of its corresponding interval portion such that the groove faces two neighbouring slits between which the corresponding interval portion is located, and has a cross-sectional area that is greater than cross-sectional areas of the neighbouring slits. 